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2021 Budget Friendly Hotels in Dubai Yet Comfy and Central

Here is the fantastic list of my favourite budget-friendly hotels in Dubai that are central and don’t break the bank. 

It is not a secret that I get to know a city first based on the hotel locations. I spend so many hours looking at the best hotels around a city that I end up merely being able to navigate it based on its hotels. 

What I love about Dubai is that there are so many great budget-friendly hotels that are new, contemporary and offer good amenities.

Photo credit: Flora Hospitality

I have been to Dubai many times and stayed at several hotels in the city. Still, since in December 2020, we were coming for two months, I truly got to know the hotels and locations. 

I have spent so many hours researching properties for myself, I thought I will update this article with all the latest favourite hotels I have found. They are new-ish and centrally located plus at a great price without breaking the bank. 

Dubai is, without a doubt, one of the most popular destinations for Muslim and non-Muslims alike. It is a lovely multicultural city with plenty of things to do, from tours to shopping to delicious food, you have it all.

Check out my article on the best things to do in Dubai and save money while there.

If you plan a trip but are scared, you might break the bank. Check out these great budget-friendly hotels in Dubai. They offer everything you might need without a heart attack on the check-out day!

#1 Rove Hotels 

A Dubai-based new hotel player has opened several hotels across some of the best Dubai spots in recent years. The properties are family and budget-friendly, with ultra-modern rooms and facilities. 

Their prices start from as little as £30 a night, and you can find them steps away from Dubai Mall and La Mer beach, which are my two preferred options and recommendations.

Rove Hotel Dubai budget friendly hotel

The Dubai Mall Rove is just a block from the tallest building in the world and the Dubai fountains. The area around the Burj Khalifa is excellent for long walks, and you can sit on the grass and enjoy the show. 

The Rove hotel in La Mer beach is fantastic as you are not paying for a beach property but as the hotel is located only steps away from it. Plus you will never get bored in the area since there are restaurants, cafes and an aquapark. It is a little more expensive than the other Rove properties but still an excellent value considering the location and facilities. 

Tip: If you book this property via the Hotels.com, you will also receive a free night after staying 10 nights. So it makes the price even cheaper. 

#2 Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef

Canopy is another brand of Hilton which, according to them, offers guests a boutique-experience. They are modern, fresh, and this mainly is in a great location in Dubai. 

The Al Seef area is being developed as part of the souq, and it had a modern layout and some restaurants and cafes around the hotel. It is in Bur Dubai but a short drive to all the attractions. 

Their prices start from as little as £30 a night, which for a new property in a unique bustling developed area of Dubai Creek is a good deal in my books. 

What also makes this interesting is if you have the Amex Gold or Platinum card and book two nights or more you also get $100 credit towards hotel services. 

#3 Wyndham Marina 

The Wyndham Marina hotel is an excellent option for those on a budget that still want to experience some superior luxury in Dubai Marina. They are not on the JBR walk but only about 10min away on foot from the beach and all the night action. 

However, the prices are low, and it makes for a great budget-friendly option. They also have large rooms for families, and even during peak winter times, their prices are reasonable. 

If you are looking for family property, check out my review of my stay in the Marriott Executive Apartments in Dubai Creek. 

#4 Zabeel House by Jumeirah 

Dubai is known for the Burj Al Arab, the only 7-star hotel in the world. Zabeel House, along with many others, is owned and managed by the Jumeirah hotel group. 

It is their new budget-friendly modernly decorated hotel. I like them because they often have offers that provide free beach access to their more expensive properties like the Zabeel Saray on the Palm, and in many cases to the Green Planet and the Aquapark. 

They are close to the Marina, Sheikh Zayed Road and the metro.

Suppose you are visiting to explore these places. In that case, it works out cheaper if you have them included and also elevates your holiday even if you are on a budget. 

#5 Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat

I reviewed this hotel as I stayed there in April 2017. 

The Hilton Garden Inn Muraqabat is in a great location, close to the airport, and walking distance to the metro. The property is new-ish located in the old Deira town with plenty of food options around. 

Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat1000resized

I felt safe walking around even at night, and it gives you a real feeling of the city. 

Their prices during off-peak travel can be as low as £35 a night. 

#6 Holiday Inn Express Safa Park 

The Holiday Inn Express Safa Park is a new budget property by IHG which offers free breakfast and contemporary rooms. It is located close to Safa Park and The Business Bay area in Dubai. 

I was looking at this hotel because it is close to the park for walks. It had good reviews. It is a new property and is centrally located to take a taxi or metro and explore the rest of the city without breaking the bank.

Prices for this property start from as little as £30 a night with free breakfast.

#7 Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton

Another hotel located in Al Seef, this was initially opened as a Jumeirah property. However, after a couple of years, it rebranded as Curio by Hilton

It is not that we are losing anything since if you are chasing status or have one, you will get extra perks. 

This property is on my radar to stay as it is designed as authentic Emirati housing. I love when hotels take properties and restore them or make them more culturally close to the destination you visit. 

You will have all the modern facilities and newly developed Al Seef area to explore on Dubai Creek. 

It is a Hilton brand so you will receive breakfast and upgrade hopefully. The prices are very reasonable, starting from around £60 a night. 

#8 Ibis Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel

Love shopping? 

Well, you can’t get any closer than this to the Mall of Emirates. The property is located a short walk from the Mall and also close to the metro. 

 Budget-Friendly hotels in Dubai Yet Comfy and Central
Photo Credit: Accorhotels

It is a standard Ibis hotel option, so they are definitely budget-friendly in Dubai though rooms are smaller, the price, location, and amenities are reasonable.

Rooms start at £30 a night, but you can find them for less if you book during a sale.

#9 Jannah Marina Bay Suites

Jannah hotels are actually Muslim-owned and halal hotels in Dubai and the UAE.

The food is halal, and you should expect good service. 

It is located in the Dubai Marina close to the metro and the JBR walk, one of my favourite Dubai areas. 

 Budget-Friendly hotels in Dubai Yet Comfy and Central
Photo Credit: Jannah hotels

Close to food, shopping, walking and the beautiful Dubai Marina. 

The property also has apartments available for larger families. I was looking at booking them for my family, and I have had friends stay who had a great experience and recommended it.

Rooms start from £50 for studios with kitchen and washing machine. 

#10 Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Barsha

The Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Barsha is a new property in Dubai’s most central locations in Barsha Heights and close to the metro.

There are restaurants, coffee shops and the metro just a few minutes walk. As this is a new property, it is also modern, and it offers free breakfast. 

I had actually booked this hotel for a couple of nights, and the price was fantastic at £30.

If you are looking for a base to explore the city, this is a great option.

#11 Aloft the Palm

Aloft the Palm I find that ticks many of Dubai’s boxes and it is a great price. 

Aloft is part of the Marriott brand, and it is their hippy youthful hotel option without many freebies.

I stayed at the hotel for 9 nights almost for free during the New Years when prices were sky-high. However, you can find this hotel for around £60 a night in off-peak season. 

Aloft The Palm Dubai

The hotel rooms with sea view overlook the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Khalifa. I actually think their view is better than the one at the Waldorf Astoria next door. 

They also have a private beach and a pool. I find it is an excellent location for the price if you want to be on the Palm. Also, book in advance for New Years and you can have a fantastic time enjoying the fireworks. Which is why I booked it. 

You can find my review of the hotel here.

The only thing to consider is that it is far away from all the attractions and if you are taking taxis it will get expensive. 

#12 Dusitd2 Kenz Hotel

Located not far from the previous hotel is the Dusitd2 Kenz hotel, a contemporary budget-friendly hotel of the Dusit Thani brand.

A close friend stays there and always enjoys their stay and recommends it. Also, the reviews online are good, and for the price, including free breakfast, you can’t go wrong. 

It is only steps away from the metro, making it extremely convenient to explore the city. Also, as it is in the middle of Dubai in Barsha Heights, you are not too far away from either the Marina or Burj Khalifa. 

Prices for this hotel start at £26 a night. 

I hope you found this list of budget-friendly hotels in Dubai useful and it helped you find a property that you liked on your budget. 

I will love to hear if you have any hidden gems of properties you like. Please share them below. 

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